• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Tuesday June 20 2023
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Bristol Airport achieves Real Living Wage accreditation

Bristol Airport has achieved Real Living Wage accreditation from the Real Living Wage Foundation an independent organisation that champions fair pay for all.

In contrast to the Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage which are both set by the Government, the Real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate based on the actual cost of living.

Annual rates are calculated by the Resolution Foundation based on a basket of everyday goods, and overseen by the Living Wage Commission.

Bristol Airport and each of the company’s business partners on site have committed to paying the real living wage as a minimum, and not the lower rates calculated by the Government.

Debbie Hartshorn, people director at Bristol Airport said: “Bristol Airport is central to the economy of the South West – currently supporting almost 4,000 direct jobs, and around 23,000 jobs across the wider region – and as we expand capacity from 10 million passengers per annum to 12 million passengers per annum we are projected to add a further 5,800 jobs.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that these roles are attractive to candidates and are fairly rewarded, and are delighted to have attained Real Living Wage accreditation ahead of the deadline we set for ourselves.”

More than 12,000 UK businesses voluntarily pay their colleagues the higher award, which is currently £10.90 per hour outside London.